Jesse Little is our guest on Fan4Racing NASCAR & Race Talk on Monday, March 7, 2016 at 9 pm ET. Call 929-477-1790 or tweet @Fan4RacingSite or @Sal_Sigala with any questions or comments during our LIVE broadcast.
Fresh off the heels of his top-ten finish in the 2016 NASCAR K&N Pro Series East season opener, Rette Jones Racing is now forming a second part-time team driven by third-generation driver Jesse Little.
“I’m really looking forward to this opportunity with Rette Jones Racing,” said Little, who plans to compete in six to eight races overall this season. “In the past year, Mark (Rette, co-owner) and Terry (Jones, co-owner) have built a successful program that has shown speed on the race track and the capabilities of winning. Being a part of the team, I look forward to doubling our chances in the races I compete in.”
The No. 29 Toyota Camry team, which will debut in this weekend’s K&N East race at Mobile International Speedway will carry sponsorship from the NASCAR Technical Institute and UTI.
Little, the son of former NASCAR driver Chad Little, began his racing career in quarter midgets at the age of seven. Moving through the ranks, he moved up to Bandoleros in 2007 and Legends cars two years later. In 2010, Little won the USAC Eastern Focus Young Guns midget car championship and in 2011 competed in the UARA Stars Late Model Series where he enjoyed success.
The following year, Little, then 15 made history by becoming the youngest driver to compete in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East, making his series debut at Richmond International Raceway. In 43 races, he has collected two wins, three poles, 12 top-fives and 20 top-ten finishes.
Little is also a current member of the NASCAR Next program. Evolving from the Next9 initiative that began in 2011, the NASCAR Next program is an all-embracing industry initiative that spotlights the sport’s rising stars – and boost fan recognition around talent that will grow into NASCAR Sprint Cup Series mainstays.
Under the leadership of crew chief Matt Noyce, Little is looking forward to the March 12 running of the Mobile 150, the debut for the series at the half-mile oval. The No. 29 team will work with the other Rette Jones Racing team and teammate Dominique Van Wieringen, guided by Rette.
“I think we’ll accomplish a lot at the test,” said Little. “It’s important for us to debut strong to show our marketing partners and everyone else that we’re focused on performance and winning. How awesome would it be for Rette Jones Racing to finish 1-2 at Mobile? Knowing our capabilities and what the team showed at New Smyrna, I can’t wait for the test and the race.”
For Rette, the decision to bring Little to the team’s roster was a no-brainer.
“When it comes to racers, Jesse is a pure definition,” said Rette, a former championship crew chief in the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards. “Jesse’s talent behind the wheel, plus his knowledge of racecars and the business of the sport will be beneficial to our program both on and off the track. A proven winner in K&N, Jesse will also be a great teammate to Dominique and I look forward to seeing them interact and battle on the race track.
“Things are going very well for Rette Jones Racing and we’re looking forward to the rest of 2016.”
The No. 29 will also carry support from Performance Friction Brakes, Racing Electronics, Penske Shocks and Mac’s Speed Shop as associate marketing partners this season.
In addition to his limited NASCAR K&N Pro Series East schedule, Little, 18 will also run select NASCAR Camping World Truck Series races under an alliance between Team Little Racing, ThorSport Racing and Rette Jones Racing.
Rette Jones Racing